US-based engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm Burns & McDonnell has successfully completed its EPC work on a 764MW solar PV portfolio in Wisconsin, USA.
The portfolio is part of Alliant Energy's Clean Energy Blueprint, which aims to add 1GW of solar PV in Wisconsin by 2023. The project includes nine solar plants ranging from 50MW to 150MW in capacity.
Construction of the projects began in 2021, and different stages of completion were achieved, with 250MW of capacity brought online last year.
Chad Cotter, vice president of solar construction at Burns & McDonnell, emphasized the importance of early integration with Alliant Energy and local union halls, stating, “Having our EPC team, self-perform crews, environmental and permitting specialists, and substation and interconnection support teams integrated with Alliant Energy and the local union halls early in the project was critical to achieving certainty in outcome and delivering on time.”
The companies also focused on implementing environmental aspects, with three sites – Bear Creek (50MW), North Rock (50MW), and Wood County (150MW) – receiving Platinum Envision ISI verification for their contribution to sustainable development and renewable energy. The remaining six sites are pending final decision.
Allison Chapin, environmental project manager at Burns & McDonnell, highlighted the ecological benefits of the project, stating, “Planting native grasses and pollinator plant species allows the sites to serve as multiuse land, fostering biodiversity and supporting Alliant Energy's sustainability initiatives.”
